Kerry BentivolioNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Stories from Michigan Radio.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Kerry BentivolioSat, 17 Feb 2018 02:45:25 +0000Kerry Bentivoliohttp://michiganradio.org
Mark BrushHe was called the "accidental congressman" because he was the only Republican on the 2012 primary ballot after incumbent Republican Thad McCotter's campaign imploded from a petition scandal. Bentivolio went on to win and served two years in Congress until he lost his reelection bid in 2014."Accidental Congressman" Kerry Bentivolio files for bankruptcyhttp://michiganradio.org/post/accidental-congressman-kerry-bentivolio-files-bankruptcy
21151 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 27 Feb 2015 15:23:37 +0000"Accidental Congressman" Kerry Bentivolio files for bankruptcyTracy SamiltonAn ad run by Democrat Bobby Mckenzie in Michigan's 11th Congressional District race won a dubious distinction recently. The Washington Post called it "one of the most brutal attack ads you'll ever see." "Foreclosure King David Trott has made millions foreclosing on Michigan's families," says a narrator, over a slightly ominous soundtrack. "Trott profited from human misery as tens of thousands of Michiganders were evicted from their homes." In the dramatization, two thugs approach a home at night. Inside the home, we see a sweet old lady, smiling as she watches television. The thugs bang on the door and break it down, rolling the terrified and weeping woman outside in her wheelchair. They leave her on the street, and start hauling out her belongings. Going negative The ad is over the top, but it is based on a fact. One of the thousands of bank foreclosures handled by Republican candidate David Trott's law firm did result in a 101-year-old woman being thrown out on the street in herWild card candidate, negativity define race for 11th Congressional Districthttp://michiganradio.org/post/wild-card-candidate-negativity-define-race-11th-congressional-district
19680 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 30 Oct 2014 11:26:12 +0000Wild card candidate, negativity define race for 11th Congressional DistrictThis Week in Michigan Politics, Emily Fox and Jack Lessenberry discuss what could happen to the state Legislature after the election, possible surprises in congressional races and the wolf hunting proposal votes which may not matter.Shake-ups in the Legislature, contentious races and who'll have the final say on wolf huntinghttp://michiganradio.org/post/shake-ups-legislature-contentious-races-and-wholl-have-final-say-wolf-hunting
19664 as http://michiganradio.orgWed, 29 Oct 2014 18:24:35 +0000Shake-ups in the Legislature, contentious races and who'll have the final say on wolf huntingStateside StaffThere's a political battle brewing in Michigan's 11th Congressional District. Put simply: A Republican Congressman who was thumped in the primary decided to mount a write-in campaign, even though it could drain off enough votes to send the Democratic candidate to Washington. Republican Kerry Bentivolio, sometimes known as "the accidental congressman," was the only Michigan congressman to lose his primary in August. That means new faces are running for the 11th District seat: Republican Dave Trott, who beat Bentivolio in the primary, and Democrat Bobby McKenzie. Detroit Free Press Washington reporter Todd Spangler has been following the race. He says while McKenzie is a relative newcomer, Trott has deep ties to local political circles and strong backing by the mainstream Republican party.Political battle gets heated in Michigan's 11th Congressional Districthttp://michiganradio.org/post/political-battle-gets-heated-michigans-11th-congressional-district
19658 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 28 Oct 2014 23:04:26 +0000Political battle gets heated in Michigan's 11th Congressional DistrictThis Week in Review, Jack Lessenberry and Rina Miller discuss a new report saying a quarter of Michigan homeowners are still underwater on their mortgages, Republican congressional candidate David Trott’s rough week and the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision not to reconsider parole hearings for juvenile lifers.Michigan homeowners underwater, David Trott's tough week and still no parole for juvenile lifershttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-homeowners-underwater-david-trotts-tough-week-and-still-no-parole-juvenile-lifers
19612 as http://michiganradio.orgSat, 25 Oct 2014 13:00:00 +0000Michigan homeowners underwater, David Trott's tough week and still no parole for juvenile lifersWe are now a week and a half away from Election Day and this is the breakout time in any campaign season. The closing days when candidates and campaigns make their final pitches to try and close the deal with voters. Although a lot of voters have already voted. As many as a third of the ballots in Election 2014 will be absentee ballots filled out before November 4th actually arrives. Closing Arguments Coming Earlier And that means as many as a third of Michigan voters have already made up their minds and won’t wait for November and the campaigns’ closing arguments. The fact that so many voters now use absentee ballots has pushed up the late-campaign attack ads; the ones that are really jarring. Bobby McKenzie, Democrat running in Michigan’s 11th Congressional district, recently released an ad attacking his Republican opponent David Trott. It’s an ad that The Washington Post called “one of the most brutal attack ads you’ll even see.”"Brutal attack ads" surface days before Election Dayhttp://michiganradio.org/post/brutal-attack-ads-surface-days-election-day
19615 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 24 Oct 2014 18:38:20 +0000"Brutal attack ads" surface days before Election DayTracy SamiltonThe three candidates running for Congress in the 11th District agreed on very little at a forum in Birmingham Monday - except the failure of the fourth candidate, businessman David Trott, to appear. Bobby McKenzie, running as a Democrat, says he disagrees with many of the positions taken by his opponents, "but showing up matters, and the three of us showed up. Mr. Trott was supposed to be here - didn't show up. What kind of representative do you think he's gonna be?" he told a crowd at Seaholm High School. In a written response, the Trott campaign said Dave Trott had a conflict the same time as the forum (October 20) and at no time was that an option for a debate. "I realize Robert McKenzie is getting desperate, since a poll was just released showing him 12 points down," according to Trott spokeswoman Megan Piwowar. "But it doesn't mean he can stop telling the truth. Dave is debating his opponent this week on Flashpoint. These candidates, especially Mr. McKenzie, should stop lying likeFailure to show up an issue in 11th District racehttp://michiganradio.org/post/failure-show-issue-11th-district-race
19564 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 20 Oct 2014 21:41:48 +0000Failure to show up an issue in 11th District raceHistory suggests that this election year should be friendly to Republicans. That’s because Republicans are more likely to turn out in mid-term elections than Democrats, and the party out of the White House, especially in a president’s second term, tends to have an advantage. With about six and a half months to go before the November election, a lot of Republicans are harboring hopes that this is going to be a good year to be a Republican. But here’s a question: Which kind of Republican is it best to be this year? In Michigan -- just like nationally -- there’s some tension between the three threads of the GOP coalition. That’s the Establishment Republicans, the Tea Party, and the Liberty Movement. We’ll get a better idea of how big this fight is (and if it’s a fight at all worth talking about) after this coming Tuesday’s filing deadline. We’ll see exactly where and how many Tea Partiers will “primary” an establishment Republican figure, and where the Republican establishment (and byCan the GOP maintain that Tea Party love and win mid-term elections? http://michiganradio.org/post/can-gop-maintain-tea-party-love-and-win-mid-term-elections
17285 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 18 Apr 2014 22:12:01 +0000Can the GOP maintain that Tea Party love and win mid-term elections? Jack LessenberryToday is Election Day in local communities all across Michigan. But politicians being politicians, many are already looking ahead to next year’s statewide and congressional elections. For everyone in the game, deciding whether to run is a matter of weighing hope versus experience; ambition against common sense. Sometimes, long shots pay off. On paper, it made no sense for a freshman senator to run for President six years ago, and not just because there was a formidable front-runner. The challenger was black. I thought his candidacy was hopeless. But as the world knows, I was gloriously wrong. However, back in 2000, Barack Obama was the one who was wrong. He challenged an incumbent congressman in a primary race. He lost by more than 2-1, drained his finances and strained his marriage for a time. Every situation is different. But now, one of Michigan’s potentially biggest stars faces her own dilemma. Few have accomplished as much at a relatively early age as Jocelyn Benson. Barely 36Should the Dean of Wayne State University run for congress?http://michiganradio.org/post/should-dean-wayne-state-university-run-congress
15132 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 05 Nov 2013 13:39:42 +0000Should the Dean of Wayne State University run for congress?Michigan Radio NewsroomA former State Department official announced today he will begin his campaign for Congress in Michigan’s 11th District. Bobby McKenzie, a Democrat known for his counterterrorism expertise, is running for the seat currently held by Republican Kerry Bentivolio. It remains unclear as to who McKenzie could run against if selected as the Democratic candidate. Bentivolio’s spot isn’t set in stone — attorney David Trott announced his run for the district’s Republican nomination in September. "The men and women of this district deserve better than a divisive Tea Party extremist like Kerry Bentivolio, and we deserve better than the prospect of David Trott, a man who made a fortune off the bankruptcies and foreclosures that have devastated our region," McKenzie said in his campaign announcement. The district, which represents more than 700,000 residents northwest of Detroit, typically leans Republican, but as the Associated Press reported, Democrats think they have a chance in 2014: “TheDemocratic candidate enters race for Michigan's 11th districthttp://michiganradio.org/post/democratic-candidate-enters-race-michigans-11th-district
14980 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 24 Oct 2013 18:09:04 +0000Democratic candidate enters race for Michigan's 11th districtSteve CarmodyLast nights vote to end the federal government shutdown and raise the debt ceiling divided Michigans Republican congress. The legislation reopens the government through Jan. 15 th and permits the U.S. Treasury to borrow normally through Feb. 7 th or perhaps a month longer. Congress faced a midnight deadline Thursday. Thats when U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew had said the government would reach the current $16.7 trillion debt limit and could no longer borrow to meet its obligations. GOP Congressmen Dan Benishek, Dave Camp, Mike Rogers and Fred Upton joined all of Michigans Democratic members of Congress in voting to pass the bill on a 285 to 144 vote. Congressmen Justin Amash, Kerry Bentivolio, Bill Huizenga, Candice Miller and Tim Walberg joined more than a hundred other GOP congressmen in opposing the bill. Earlier in the evening, Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin voted for the bill. Democratic Congressman Gary Peters issued a statement saying This shutdown wasMichigan's congressional delegation divided on government shutdown/debt ceiling votehttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigans-congressional-delegation-divided-government-shutdowndebt-ceiling-vote
14870 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 17 Oct 2013 03:41:48 +0000Michigan's congressional delegation divided on government shutdown/debt ceiling voteJack LessenberryEveryone knows theres a war between the parties going on right now in Congress and in Washington, a war that has shut down the national parks and large parts of the federal government. But theres also a war going on within the Republican Party, a war being fought on battlefields from Washington to Lansing to Canton and Grand Rapids. Its a war for the partys mind and soul. Essentially, its a war between the Tea Party Republicans and the partys more traditional conservatives, especially the business community. Right now, the Tea Party seems to be winning. For a while, that had the regular Republicans concerned. They know that if extremists are the face of the party, they can say goodbye to any hopes of recapturing the White House, and probably also the U.S. Senate.The GOP’s Civil Warhttp://michiganradio.org/post/gop-s-civil-war
14795 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 10 Oct 2013 13:57:38 +0000The GOP’s Civil WarSteve CarmodyThe reelection chances of three Michigan congressmen might be hurt by the federal government shutdown. The poll numbers show Republican Congressmen Tim Walberg , Kerry Bentivolio and Dan Benishek all trailing significantly behind a generic Democratic opponent. Tom Jensen is with Public Policy Polling , the Democratic-leaning firm that conducted the voter surveys. The voter surveyed was commissioned by MoveOn.org. He says their data shows voter discontent over the shutdown may tip the balance in November 2014. Republicans have shot themselves in the foot and put themselves into a pretty bad position for next fall, Jensen told reporters today. Jensen says its not too soon to be predicting the result of an election more than a year away. These were the sort of numbers we were starting to see in Democratic held districts at this time four years ago, says Jensen. Democrats lost control of the U.S. House in 2010 , as the rise of the Tea Party powered the Republicans to victory. A spokeswomanPolls suggest the federal government shutdown is hurting 3 Michigan congressmen's reelection hopeshttp://michiganradio.org/post/polls-suggest-federal-government-shutdown-hurting-3-michigan-congressmens-reelection-hopes
14751 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 07 Oct 2013 19:57:00 +0000Polls suggest the federal government shutdown is hurting 3 Michigan congressmen's reelection hopesMichigan Radio NewsroomAll nine of Michigan’s Republican members of Congress voted for House legislation that would defund the Affordable Care Act . The bill is a part of a recent political ultimatum coming from Republican lawmakers: either cut Obamacare or shut down the government. The language was attached to a continuing resolution — a temporary measure that allows the government to maintain the current levels of funding to federal agencies while Congress works out a fully-fledged budget plan.Michigan Republicans sign on to defund Obamacarehttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-republicans-sign-defund-obamacare
14524 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 20 Sep 2013 17:51:27 +0000Michigan Republicans sign on to defund ObamacareThis week in review, Rina Miller and Jack Lessenberry discuss the Medicaid expansion and Kerry Bentivolio's primary challenger.The week in review: Medicaid expansion and Bentiviolio's primary challengerhttp://michiganradio.org/post/week-review-medicaid-expansion-and-bentiviolios-primary-challenger
14305 as http://michiganradio.orgSat, 07 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000The week in review: Medicaid expansion and Bentiviolio's primary challengerThe theme of the 11 th Congressional District Republican establishment for the past couple of years might be “I Hope That Somethin’ Better Comes Along.” (We have kindly provided a link to that tune from “The Muppet Movie” sung by Rowlf the Dog and Kermit the Frog here . But we digress.) The usual poobahs and potentates of the Oakland and Wayne county GOP circles have had to live with Rep. Kerry Bentivolio as their Republican in Congress since November of last year. But, this week, to the surprise of absolutely no one who has been paying attention, that Establishment may have gotten its wish when businessman/attorney David Trott announced he will challenge Bentivolio in a Republican primary. And, in this case, the challenger probably starts with the advantage.Can a bill collector beat a reindeer farmer in GOP primary?http://michiganradio.org/post/can-bill-collector-beat-reindeer-farmer-gop-primary
14303 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 06 Sep 2013 18:03:05 +0000Can a bill collector beat a reindeer farmer in GOP primary?Steve CarmodyWest Michigan Congressman Justin Amash says he wants the House to go back into session to address potential military action against Syria. A U.S. military strike is expected in the next few days in response to the Syrian government’s alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians. Amash told a group at a Battle Creek coffee shop today that the president must consult with Congress first. “If the president intends to use force, we expect to be called back into session,” says Amash, “We demand we be called back into session to have a vote.” Amash, along with Michigan Representatives Kerry Bentivolio and Dan Benishek are among more than 90 Republicans and Democratic congressmen who’ve signed a letter demanding Congress be consulted before military action is taken. Amash said he’s concerned that the U.S. would be getting involved in a conflict with “bad guys on both sides”. “I think it would be grave mistake to jump in on the side of forces that may actually win the battle and turnMichigan Congressman says President Obama should consult Congress before a military strike on Syriahttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-congressman-says-president-obama-should-consult-congress-military-strike-syria
14180 as http://michiganradio.orgWed, 28 Aug 2013 20:15:25 +0000Michigan Congressman says President Obama should consult Congress before a military strike on SyriaJack LessenberryI was a college student almost forty years ago when the U.S. House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach President Richard Nixon. I watched those proceedings and hung on every word. Many, perhaps even most people did. I remember crowds clustered around television sets in department stores at particularly dramatic points in the testimony. When the members finally voted to recommend impeachment, many of them did in voices breaking with emotion. They knew this was an almost unimaginably huge step. The congressmen knew that only one other President had been impeached in history – Andrew Johnson, more than a century before. They also knew that history had judged very harshly those congressmen and senators who supported removing that president, and praised those who managed to stop his conviction. Impeachment, those congressmen knew, was the nuclear option in American constitutional democracy. In the end, President Nixon resigned before he could be impeached, convicted, and removed fromThe farce of presidential impeachmenthttp://michiganradio.org/post/farce-presidential-impeachment
14104 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 22 Aug 2013 13:19:09 +0000The farce of presidential impeachmentMark BrushIn Michigan's freaky 11th Congressional District, the Republican candidate both won AND lost on Election Day. It all started here... when this guy's campaign imploded: Then this reindeer rancher stepped into the race for the Republicans... And two elections were needed to sort the mess out.Before Bentivolio starts, Curson plans to tackle "fiscal cliff" for Michigan's 11thhttp://michiganradio.org/post/bentivolio-starts-curson-plans-tackle-fiscal-cliff-michigans-11th-0
9856 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 09 Nov 2012 18:08:46 +0000Before Bentivolio starts, Curson plans to tackle "fiscal cliff" for Michigan's 11thJack LessenberryI really don’t envy anybody, with the possible exception of my dog, who is going to spend his day napping while I run around Detroit. But part of me would like to be David Curson for the next few weeks. Dave just got himself unexpectedly elected to Congress.Commentary: The abbreviated congressmanhttp://michiganradio.org/post/commentary-abbreviated-congressman
9835 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 08 Nov 2012 17:45:31 +0000Commentary: The abbreviated congressman